New to the game. Need advice on how to cut glass, make percs, slits etc. Best method?

I have looked all over and used the search bar, but I must admit I am not the most proficient, being new and all. I have also looked under cold working but it doesn't seem to get much attention. So forgive me for putting this here if you believe it is misplaced but I would like to reach as many people as possible to get the best general opinion. I have no idea how to go about it. I am well aware of how to flame cut glass so that is not the main issue. I am more interested in cutting slits and making percolators more particularly. So can someone please give me advice in how to go about this. What is the best method, best saw, best blade etc...? I have read that depending the circumstances you do not need to apply water. I am unsure of this. Do you need to build a station? I am definitely into DIY so I open to all tips and tricks. Thank you very much.

Yes you need water absolutely. Get a tile saw and a diamond resin bond blade. That's about it

Any advice on what brand or type tile saw? What about brand of blade? Do you have to buy a certain size or kind of blade to match the saw?

Not knowing that you may need water when cutting glass is troublesome.

Harbor Freight has a saw that is suitable for putting slits in your downstems, shower-heads,waffles. Has water feed.

A Dremel with a water bath works for fine cuts.

I knew that I may need water, hence why I worded as such. I stated that I had read the contrary. Which implies that I knew water could be necessary. I was more incurring for a scientific analysis of why it is necessary, and under what circumstances. Thank you for advising harbor freight. Seems reasonable.

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Originally Posted by 303glass

I knew that I may need water, hence why I worded as such. I stated that I had read the contrary. Which implies that I knew water could be necessary. I was more incurring for a scientific analysis of why it is necessary, and under what circumstances. Thank you for advising harbor freight. Seems reasonable.

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Or incurring.

You say tomato and I say colostomy.

Scientific analysis = glass dust = imminent death = you need to do a lot more research

Not just that, but the water will cool the cutting surface and prolong the life of the tool.

Not just that but heat has a way of cracking-chipping glass.

Collect the slurry in a bucket, pour off the top don't dump it all down your pipes it will fuck them up, all so not for kitchen or bathroom use, do it out side or in a shed.

You sound kinda resistant on advice you asked for/ don't do that it is annoying.

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Originally Posted by Kevin Bumble

Collect the slurry in a bucket, pour off the top don't dump it all down your pipes it will fuck them up, all so not for kitchen or bathroom use, do it out side or in a shed.

You sound kinda resistant on advice you asked for/ don't do that it is annoying.

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No shit right?

"Can someone tell me if I need water when I cut?"
"Yes you do!"
"I already knew that I might need it, which is the same as me knowing I need it, hence me asking. I just wanted to know on a molecular level whether I needed it or not."
"Yep, you still do."

Sorry to make light of the situation, but you need to understand the dynamic here. People get crabby when as a first time poster you ask a question that could be answered with a very small amount of research. Whether they should or shouldn't doesn't really matter cuz they do, so it is best to read more and post things other than really basic questions at first. I guarantee you that if it is something basic it is covered here, or on google somewhere.

Not trying to beat you down, just trying to help you along so you aren't bewildered by grouchy glass blowers.

Things do escalate quite quickly. I was simply trying to decipher information I am receiving. The use of water was merely a single facet. I am surrounded by half ass glassblowers and tons of bullshitters, which have implied its importance but had not done so adequately apperently. He made it seem more of a luxury then a necessity. I now understand the importance, which was exactly why I asked. I was questioning, for what reasons. For example, were it mostly for health benefits, one could guess that it might be cheaper to wear a respirator, which I was planning. I did not want to assume that that the life of the blade or quality of the cut were effected. This was exactly the information I was looking for. I was in no way demeaning the helpful replies for which I had received. I was just trying to differentiate which reasons where more important. I am still curios of any particular brand for the blades. One would assume that this facet would be more important then the brand of the saw and what not. Does any body have any advice?

pm funksizzle for more info.

The blade actually depends on the saw. There are a number of diamond blade manufacturers. There's an equal multitude of saws and saw sizes. There are 4" tiny trim saws all the way up to gigantic and not so useful 24-36" slab saws. For blades you want a continuos rim blade. You will want either sintered or resin bonded diamond blades, in whatever thickness cut you desire as well as the proper arbor size to fit your saw.

You will want to use a water feed system, either recycling or continuos feed with a catch basin. You can also add coolant/lubricant to the water to further soften cutting. Water is a necessity for heat, equipment wear, and your health.

As for the rest of your questions about making percs, diffusers and the like.. you will need to be more specific. Otherwise it's like this "hey guys, how do I cut glass, diffuse it, make percs etc" .... You are stringing questions together with a minimum of specificity. The more specific your questions and the greater proficiency you convey, the greater liklihood that someone will have the time or desire to respond.


So welcome, lets go forward from here.

^^^^ thx

Also please take note to space paragraphs. We blow glass and put enough wear on our eyes without having to read a block of text like the last one you posted.

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Originally Posted by 303glass

I am more interested in cutting slits and making percolators more particularly.

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Welcome to the world of making Sick Headies™, I'm certain you'll find our attentive staff and wonderful guides a veritable treasure trove of both solicited and advised information - All this is available for free, on demand, at your finger tips, 24 hours a day from the comfort of your hotel room, passenger seat, and at 35,000 feet up on select Delta Airlines flights.

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Originally Posted by 303glass

So can someone please give me advice in how to go about this.

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You like, you get some tubes, right, and you like, use a saw ok, to like, cut slits in the glass mang.

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Originally Posted by 303glass

What is the best method, best saw, best blade etc...?

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Well, the best method involved lasers, space based atomic probes, highly skilled Asian iPhone assembly plant workers, and a freshly caught trout. There are no saws or blades in the best method, as it relies almost entirely on telekinesis and the limitless powers of the Human Spirit.

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Originally Posted by 303glass

I have read that depending the circumstances you do not need to apply water.

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You don't need water to cut glass. If we're going to operate on pure logic and semantics that much is technically correct. Now, in MOST cases and using MOST standard equipment used in cutting glass, water or some other coolant/lubricant is useful and advised.

In the same vein you don't need oil to drive a car...

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Originally Posted by 303glass

I am unsure of this.

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Congratulations, you've just used the days Bonus Existential Phrase! You win something!

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Originally Posted by 303glass

Do you need to build a station? I am definitely into DIY so I open to all tips and tricks. Thank you very much.

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No, you do not need to build a station. See the above water question for more details on this and other questions of deep rhetorical consequence.

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Originally Posted by 303glass

Any advice on what brand or type tile saw?

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Covington, Gemini, Taurus, Central Electric, Husky, MK, Baranca Diamond, Pistorius, Rigid - All those companies make some form of saw applicable to cutting glass with a diamond blade. What's your budget?

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Originally Posted by 303glass

Do you have to buy a certain size or kind of blade to match the saw?

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Yes.

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Originally Posted by 303glass

I was more incurring for a scientific analysis of why it is necessary, and under what circumstances.

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http://www.greymatter.org/pandas/jackiechan.jpg

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Originally Posted by 303glass

I am surrounded by half ass glassblowers and tons of bullshitters

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Yes. Yes you are.

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Originally Posted by 303glass

Does any body have any advice?

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See:

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Originally Posted by istandalone24/7

pm funksizzle for more info.

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/thread.

Doug should be nominated for post of the year on this one.

Or he will get an infraction like myself for stating the obvious.

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Originally Posted by istandalone24/7

pm funksizzle for more info.

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lol.